PFL completes 12-bout lineup of Brussels card on May 23

If the lineup holds together, the next Professional Fighters League card in Europe will have the majority of red corner athletes sporting surnames starting with the letter “a.”

Per a press release on Thursday, the PFL has finalized its 12-fight lineup for the May 23 show at the ING Arena in Brussels, Belgium. PFL Brussels will be headlined by a non-title, non-tournament main event pitting undefeated Belgian up-and-comer Patrick Habirora (8-0) against 42-year-old former champion Benson Henderson (30-12).

Making his pro debut in January 2024, Habirora has rattled off eight victories, seven inside the distance, including four under the PFL Europe banner. The 25-year-old exploded onto the PFL scene last year thanks to a pair of first-round knockouts of Danny Roberts and Kevin Jousset. He has only fought beyond the first round twice as a professional.

While Habirora got his start at the beginning of 2024, it has been since March 2023 that Henderson has stepped inside of an MMA cage to fight. “Smooth” did participate in grappling matches as well as a stop off in Karate Combat to handle some business with past foe Anthony Pettis. He also tested his mettle in an influencer boxing tournament where he won a decision against Chris Avila but lost on the scorecards later that night to Idris Virgo for the organization’s inaugural belt.

Of note, the PFL added a welterweight scrap to the prelims, bringing back once-beaten Khamzat Abaev (5-1) to face grappling aficionado Luca Poclit (10-2). The former debuted with the PFL last year, going the distance and also losing for the first time to . Since Poclit’s last bout in June 2024, Abaev has competed thrice.